Flicker & Burn Review & Character Interview

Flicker & Burn
Character Interview & Review

By T.M. Geoglein

Summary

Sara Jane Rispoli is still searching for her missing family, but instead of fighting off a turncoat uncle and crooked cops, this time she finds herself on the run from creepy beings with red, pulsing eyes and pale white skin chasing her through the streets in ice cream trucks; they can only be described as Ice Cream Creatures. They're terrifying and hell bent on killing her, but they're also a link to her family, a clue to where they might be and who has them. While she battles these new pursuers, she's also discovering more about her own cold fury and more about the Chicago Outfit, how the past misdeeds--old murders and vendettas--might just be connected to her present and the disappearance of her family. But connecting the dots is tough and time-consuming and may finally be the undoing of her relationship with the handsome Max--who's now her boyfriend. But for his own safety, Sara Jane may have to end this relationship before it even really starts. Her pursuers who've shown her her mother's amputated finger and the head of the Chicago Outfit who's just whistled her in for a sit-down make a romance unthinkable. The only thing that matters is finding her family and keeping everyone she loves alive.

Character Interview

T.M. Goeglein Talks with Doug Stuffins

In anticipation of my soon to be published YA novel, Flicker & Burn (August 20^th, G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin,) Kristina’s World of Books suggested an interview with my protagonist’s (Sara Jane Rispoli) best friend and partner in the quest to find her missing family, Doug Stuffins.

Doug’s smart, acerbic, and tough, not to mention a walking movie encyclopedia – in other words, the perfect partner for Sara Jane. As always, he had a lot to say about a lot.

TMG: So, Doug…there seems to be considerably less of you these days.

DS: Drug addiction will do that. There’s a reason junkies are so model-runway thin.

TMG: Without being insensitive, do you still…

DS: Have a monkey on my back? Let’s just say I’m not one of those people who enjoy yakking about his problems and inner strength and all of that crap. You want to know what happened to me, read Flicker & Burn. It’s all there in black and white.

TMG: And red.

DS: Good point. The stuff I’m hooked on in the book is a creamy, disgusting red, and…ugh (editor’s note: DS shuddered)…the eyes of those creatures. Blood red. Makes me want to hurl just thinking about them. Not to mention their deathly pale skin.

TMG: Please don’t. These are new shoes. (editor’s note: TMG moved his feet.) So how are you feeling these days?

DS: Physically, meh. Emotionally, a wreck. I’m trying my hardest to help Sara Jane save her family but whoever has them is clever and wicked and violent. I don’t mind having my ass kicked in the name of justice, but these people are…different. Death is in the air, you know?

TMG: Yeah, I do. I wrote it.

DS: Right. Thanks for that.

TMG: You’re welcome.

DS: I was being ironic. You put me…us…Sara Jane and Harry…in some very bad situations. All I can say is that it better, you know, get better in the third book.

TMG: It doesn’t. It gets worse.

DS: Thanks for that. (editor’s note: DS sighed.)  

Thank you T.M. Geoglein and Doug for stopping by with the interview. I enjoyed Flicker & Burn immensely and can't wait to read the final book and see what happens to Sara Jane, her family, Doug and the rest of the characters. 

Review

What I Loved

Information 
In this second book we get a lot more information about Ghiaccio Furioso and the history of GF, more about Sara Jane's family history with the mob. The first book opened up so many questions in Sara Jane's life now in Flicker & Burn we are closer to learning it all.
Story
Lots of things were going on in this book. Sara Jane is still running and hiding, trying to find her family, dealing with the mob, trying not to get killed and all the while managing high school drama.
A Page Turner
Just like the first book I was kept intrigued throughout the entire book. Things were always happen and more information was always being revealed, new twists and turns kept on happening at every moment.
Character
Sara Jane: She is still as awesome as ever! I can't wait to see what happens to her in the final book and how she will manage to save her family and deal with it all. Bring on the next book and more kick ass Sara Jane!
Doug: Not the typical sidekick by any means, but that is what I do enjoy about his character. Loyal to the bone (when not addicted to substances), which is a perfect partner for Sara Jane. I'm interested to see what else he will do in the final book.  

Didn't Like

I missed the action packed book that was book one (we still got a good amount of action, just not as much), but we do get a lot of great information which was very intriguing. 

Recommendation 

A must read series, everyone boy or girl should add this to their reading list

Releases 
August 20, 2013
Amazon / B&N / Book Depository 

Information

Cold Fury Trilogy

Cold Fury my review

Flicker & Burn

Book 3

What would you do to save your family?

<Books

Hearts of Shadow Review

Hearts of Shadow

By Kira Brady

Summary

In this brilliant new novel in the Deadglass series, a fierce young woman’s quest entangles her in an apocalyptic endgame—and unexpected desire…

Grace Mercer’s unmatched wraith-killing ability made her the unofficial defender of a city shattered by supernatural catastrophe. So there’s no way she’ll allow the new regent of Seattle’s most powerful dragon shifter clan to “protect” her from a vicious evil stalking the ruined streets—and keep her from the freedom she’s risked everything to earn. 

Leif’s science-honed instincts tell him Grace is the key to keeping shifters and humans safe. But helping this wary fighter channel her untapped power is burning away the dragon’s sensual self-control and putting a crucial alliance at risk. Soon the only chance Leif and Grace will have to save their world will be a dangerously fragile link that could forever unite their souls…or consume all in a storm of destruction.

What I Loved
Location 
I love it when books are right in my backyard. In Hearts of Shadow it literally is practically in my backyard. Grace takes a trip to Ravensdale along Maple Valley Highway, which I grew up going to Ravensdale to play soccer and grew up in Maple Valley. Love it! But this magical torn Seattle which all sorts of magical creatures is so exciting and intriguing.  

Characters

Grace Mercer: I love female characters that are small and tough. Grace is one kick ass female character that I completely adore and admire. In the first book Hearts of Darkness we briefly got to meet her and I'm so glad she got to have her own book. Grace isn't the swooning type of gal, even when a hunk of a dragon keeps tempting her.
Leif Asgard: Unlike his asshole of a brother, Leif is a dragon to lust after. He actually has morals and is more into science than world domination. I adore Leif's character and I think Grace and him made for some very interesting tension and chemistry.
Paranormal Romance
Perfect amount of sexual tension, romance and bedroom scenes paired with a fantastic amount of story. I love paranormal romance books. The different creatures, the parallel universe, the story and the characters all make for an exciting combination that I can never seem to put down. 

Didn't Like

Nothing. . . I now have to wait for the next book!

Recommendation
A must read series for readers who love paranormal romance, action, and Seattle.

Information

Deadglass Series

Hearts of Fire (prequel aka bonus novella)

Hearts of Darkness my review

Hearts of Shadow

Hearts of Chaos March 2014